Favorite Oatmeal and Greek Yogurt Recipes

Hanging with with Shine and Sparkle Report Readers Again! Woo!

Today I wanted to have a quick chat about two things that are really healthy.

1) Non-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt

2) Oatmeal

Wow! Am I getting spiffy at paint or what?!  Anyway, like my last image, I'll gladly give someone credit for their image or take it down if whoever owns it throws a hissy fit.

Both of these things are pretty boring. They are also considered to be very healthy.  Oatmeal is a power breakfast providing long lasting energy to get you through the day.  Non-fat plain greek yogurt is a filling snack that is packed with protein and healthy probiotics.  However I cannot stand either of them alone.  They are boring.  More boring than white rice, plain pasta, and a baked potato combined.  In fact, I'm betting that most of you would eat plain unhealthy carbs before you'd eat plain oatmeal or greek yogurt.  Heck, I think some people would just munch celery or carrots instead.  It is something about the squishy soft texture that turns people off I think.

So what are we to do to keep these items healthy while still eating them?  Make them yummy!  Here are my two very simple recipes to make these boring heath foods (and your waist line) island/beachy perfection!  The way they are prepared makes me think of some kind of delicious island pudding, rather than oatmeal and greek yogurt.  So.....on to the recipes.

Island Oatmeal:

Ingredients-
-1 microwaveable bowl of plain Oatmeal (prepared according to directions--I make oatmeal for several days at once and store in the refrigerator).
-Frozen pineapple or mango chunks
-coconut-almond milk.
-1 tablespoon Coconut Chips (or candied/dessicated coconut)
-1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Steps-
1. Take hot bowl of oatmeal, add fruit and coco-almond milk and cinnamon (optional, but there are supposedly health benefits to cinnamon so I add it.  It also just seems like the "oatmeal thing to do").
2. Microwave for 1 minute (or until frozen fruit is no longer frozen).
3. Top with coconut chips or candied/dessicated coconut

Island Greek Yogurt:

Ingredients-
-1 serving of plain non-fat greek yogurt
-Frozen pineapple or mango chunks
-1 tablespoon Coconut Chips (or candied/dessicated coconut)

Steps-
1. Rinse fruit under warm water the drain and pat dry (they will still be frozen in the middle which is good for keeping your yogurt cold in a lunch bag.  If eating right away, fully defrost the fruit).
2. Place fruit at bottom of bowl/tupperware.
3. Place serving of yogurt on top of fruit.
4. Top with coconut chips or candied/dessicated coconut.

Whaaaaaaa?!
That was so easy!
Right?!
Cool!
I love SSR Chat posts!
Weeeeeeeeee!


Let me know if you tried making my island loving health foods.  Also tell me if you are interested in more easy healthy recipes in my chat posts.

Shine & Sparkle!

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind--Eraser Dark Spot Concealer + Treatment Review

Welcome to the first post in the month of May favorite reader EVER (yes you)!

Since the last post was quite serious, I thought I'd lighten it up with some good old capitalist consumerism.  Today I want to present to you a new drug store concealer that has changed my life.  Seriously. My lovely model Squiggles is showing off the insanely long named "Maybelline Instant Age Rewind--Eraser Dark Spot (Concealer + Treatment)*" in the oh so fancy image below.  I think I have a career in graphic design waiting for me.  I have totally mastered the "Paint" program.  I also apologize for never having a consistent format for product reviews.  I keep thinking of better ways to report my opinions to you.

As usual, like my last image, I'll gladly give someone credit for their image or take it down if whoever owns it throws a hissy fit. 

But Ms. Sparkles, in your Lil' Wallgreens Haul Post from June 2012, you talked about the "Almay: "Clear Complexion Concealer + Treatment Gel" being your favorite concealer...why do you have this one?  Well inquisitive reader, my current skin care routine has dramatically reduced my acne break outs, but each acne bump has started to leave behind stubborn dark spots on my skin *hissing and booing from the crowd.*  As a result I do not need a green tinted (to cancel redness) treatment gel or a super thick consistency to even out acne bumps.

Also, who needs just one concealer?!  This is a capitalist consumerism themed post, you should spend your money on millions of concealers if you want to. It's good for the economy.

Maybelline Claims That:
"This revolutionary concealer and vitamin C treatment covers instantly, while fighting dark spots over time. Concentrated Vitamin C formula visibly decreases dark spots in just 4 weeks. Targets signs of aging, dark spots, acne scars and sunspots."

In a Nutshell:
Effectiveness: 9 of 10
Smell/Taste: N/A
Packaging: 6 of 10
Economic: 10 of 10
Good for Sensitive Skin: Maybe
Overall Rating: 8


The Full Report:

Effectiveness of this product is excellent.  However, Maybelline says it reduces imperfections in 4 weeks, I think this is a conservative estimate.  Why?  Because the skin completely renews itself in around 28 days (linked to proved I didn't make that up). So by claiming 4 weeks, they are guaranteed  to be telling the truth (with our without their product).  For this reason I deducted a point.  That being said, I'd say I have seen improvement in about 3 weeks (with a skin care routine that includes exfoliation to encourage new cell growth).  The main ingredient advertised is vitamin c which should revitalize skin by boosting collagen production (thus this "age rewind" part of the insane product title).  It is also an antioxidant that can help lighten skin by canceling free-radicals that might slow the rate of skin renewal over an extended period of time.  The internet talks about a study on guinea pigs who ate increased vitamin c having lighter skin, but who knows if that is a credible study or some crazy people breeding guinea pigs in a trailer...(Squiggles says that he doesn't approve of animal testing).

Now you might be wondering why I'm still giving it a 9.  Because regardless if it actually treats dark spots or prevents aging, it is a GREAT concealer.  It is light weight but effectively covers any imperfections.  The consistency is a bit more like a very pigmented foundation rather than a paste (like some lame concealers).  This prevents your skin from looking cakey even if you need to use a lot of it.  Nobody likes looking like a plastic cake face.  Also, the product does not seem to cause any break outs.  While not specifically formulated for sensitive skin, I have found that it does not cause me any problems.

Packaging is quite fun and works as directed.  The sponge tip provides a buildable and targeted coverage with minimal blending necessary.  When you do blend it out with a brush or your fingers, it blends fantastically.  However I do not like that you cannot really clean the sponge applicator.  I suggest either using a brush spray or applying the concealer to a brush or clean fingers before touching your face. Also, there seems to be no way to get any remaining product out of the tube...or even remove the sponge for any reason. Regarding the bacteria issue, if you go through concealer pretty quickly, I would just use as directed and buy a new one when you feel like it is infested with bacteria.  Which leads me to my next point.

Price is $9.99USD (without sales or coupons)! Woooo!  You can buy 3 of them for the average price of just one higher end concealer.  Who doesn't love that?

Quick Tips For This Product:
1) Apply this concealer after your foundation using a patting motion as to not disturb the underlying make up. Due to the light liquid consistency of the product, I suggest using this over a liquid foundation/tinted moisturizer/BB creme.  I would worry that putting this on over powder or mineral foundations would result a pasty mess.  If nothing else, it will smear the powder base all over...  Let everything dry, then finish up with a face powder to completely blend your concealer to avoid looking patchy.
2)  Experts recommend that concealers should be slightly lighter than your skin tone since they are covering pigmented spots on your face, however for this product, I suggest matching your face color as closely as possible because it is pigmented enough to fully cover anything.

How this product review report was useful!  Let me know if you are interested in a post about my skin care routine.  I will probably make one whether you comment or not, but I love feedback ;D

Shine & Sparkle!

* I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  These are my honest feelings and opinions.